The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to provide grants for the purpose of attracting, hosting and developing new events and festivals in Illinois or enhancing existing festivals and events.
Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State: Illinois
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 11/03/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Section 5(b) of the Illinois Promotion Act (20 ILCS 665) authorizes the Department to make grants to Illinois not-for-profit organizations, for-profit entities, counties, municipalities and local promotion groups to match funds from sources in the private sector for the purpose of attracting and hosting tourism events in Illinois and developing new events and festivals in Illinois or enhancing existing Illinois festivals.
Tourism Event is defined as an event, such as a major convention, trade show, sporting activity or festival, with potential to attract visitors from outside a 50-mile radius and to produce significantly increased economic impact for the State of Illinois through overnight stays.
Tourism Festival is defined as an organized series of public activities for a specific duration that may include, but are not limited to, cultural performances, exhibitions, fairs, or carnivals that may include music and the service of food and beverages.
Performance Goals and Measures
Applicant must identify performance measurements they will use to identify successful outcomes as a result of the grant funding such as:
- Estimated number or percentage of increase visitation as a result of the festival or event;
- Estimated increase in local hotel tax revenue to the area served after event or festival;
- Number of media impressions and value for promotion of the festival or event;
- Estimated increase in sales tax revenue as a result of the festival or event.
Funding Information
Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is $600,000. Awards will range from $10,000 to $50,000.
Project Period
July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
Eligible Projects and Activities
Activities eligible for funding include, but are not limited to, the following costs associated with attracting and hosting events and festivals:
- Advertising and marketing activities directed toward areas outside of 50 miles from the event;
- Transportation and housing;
- Prize/award money;
- Building or equipment rental;
- Receptions and banquets;
- Registrations;
- Entertainment and speakers;
- Programming;
- Photography, postage and printing;
- Audiovisual;
- Telemarketing;
- Promotional items; and
- Temporary staff
Eligibility Criteria
- Illinois for-profit entity
- County;
- Municipality;
- Not-for-profit entity;
- Local promotion groups – means any non-profit corporation, organization, association, agency or committee thereof formed for the primary purpose of publicizing, promoting, advertising or otherwise encouraging the development of tourism in any municipality, county, or region of Illinois groups.
For more information, visit DCEO.
